Biometric information acquisition device, biometric authentication device, and method for acquiring biometric information

Abstract

To allow an image of a hand to be used for biometric authentication to be stably acquired even in a non-contact state.SOLUTION: A biological information acquiring apparatus includes a first camera for capturing a first image of a hand of a user inserted into an image capturing area, a second camera for capturing a second image of the hand of the user to be used for biometric authentication, and a processor for causing the second camera to capture the second hand image upon detection of a stationary state of the hand of the user based on the hand image captured by the first camera.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a biological information acquisition device, a biometric authentication device, and a biological information acquisition method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a blood vessel pattern extraction device including a finger placement unit that guides a finger to a predetermined position, a light source that irradiates the finger with light, an opening formed in the finger placement unit that allows transmitted light irradiated on the finger and passing through the finger to pass through, and an imaging unit that images the transmitted light passing through the opening. The blood vessel pattern extraction device has a tip holding unit that holds the tip side of the finger and a root holding unit that holds the root side, and an opening disposed between the tip holding unit and the root holding unit allows transmitted light passing through the finger to pass through, and the finger placed on the tip holding unit and the root holding unit is held so as to be non-contact with the opening, and the light source is disposed obliquely above the finger placement unit, forming a gap with the upper part of the finger placement unit open.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in biometric authentication devices using a finger, contact-type biometric authentication devices that fix the finger for authentication so that the authentication accuracy does not decrease due to hand tremors or the like are the mainstream. Also, recently, there has been an increasing demand for biometric authentication devices that reduce the opportunity of contact through a large number of unspecified people and objects from a hygienic perspective such as virus infection prevention. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, although the tip side of the finger (for example, near the first joint to the second joint) is non-contact with the glass surface of the opening, in order not to reduce the authentication accuracy, the root side of the finger is brought into contact with and fixed to the root holding unit, so there was room for improvement to achieve non-contact acquisition of biological information.

[0005] This disclosure was devised in view of the conventional circumstances described above, and aims to provide a biometric information acquisition device, a biometric authentication device, and a biometric information acquisition method that can stably acquire hand images for use in biometric authentication even in a non-contact state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This disclosure includes a first camera for capturing a first image of a user's hand inserted into an imaging area, a second camera for capturing a second image of the user's hand for use in biometric authentication, and a processor that, when it detects the insertion of the user's hand into the imaging area and its stillness in the imaging area based on the first image captured by the first camera, causes the second camera to capture a second image of the hand for use in biometric authentication. The user's hand is inserted into the imaging area without contacting at least the housing housing the first camera and the second camera, and the frame rate of the first camera is greater than the frame rate of the second camera. We provide a device for acquiring biological information.

[0007] Furthermore, this disclosure includes a first camera for capturing images of a user's hand inserted into an imaging area, a second camera for capturing images of the user's hand, a processor that, based on a first image of the user's hand captured by the first camera, detects insertion of the user's hand into the imaging area and its stillness in the imaging area and causes the second camera to capture images of the hand, and an output unit that, based on a second image of the user's hand captured by the second camera, acquires the user's biometric information and outputs a comparison result obtained by comparing the acquired biometric information with the biometric information of a plurality of users that have been registered in advance. The user's hand is inserted into the imaging area without contacting at least the housing housing the first camera and the second camera, and the frame rate of the first camera is greater than the frame rate of the second camera. We provide biometric authentication devices.

[0008] Furthermore, this disclosure relates to a method for acquiring biometric information for a biometric information acquisition device that uses two cameras to image a user's hand, wherein the first camera images the user's hand inserted into an imaging area, and based on the image of the user's hand captured, the second camera images the user's hand when it is detected that the user's hand has been inserted into the imaging area and is stationary in the imaging area. Furthermore, the user's hand is inserted into the imaging area without contacting at least the housing housing the first camera and the second camera, and the frame rate of the first camera is greater than the frame rate of the second camera. This provides a method for acquiring biometric information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, hand images used for biometric authentication can be reliably acquired even in a non-contact state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the biometric authentication system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the internal configuration of the biometric information acquisition device and authentication device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Diagram illustrating an example of hand insertion detection. [Figure 4] Diagram illustrating an example of detecting a stationary hand. [Figure 5] Flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for the biometric authentication system according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Diagram showing an example of a timeout notification screen. [Figure 7] Diagram showing an example of the authentication result notification screen. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the internal configuration of the biometric information acquisition device and authentication device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] A table showing the correspondence between the example operation procedure shown in Figure 5 and the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system according to each embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the internal configuration of the biometric information acquisition device and authentication device according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments specifically disclosing the configurations and operations of the biological information acquisition device, the biometric authentication device, and the biological information acquisition method according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, detailed descriptions that are more than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and duplicate descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following descriptions unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following descriptions are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and it is not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims by these.

[0012] Here, the terms used in the following descriptions are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. For example, the term "biological information" includes a captured image (authentication hand image) including a part of the user's hand used for extracting biological information.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an overall configuration example of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration example of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration example of the biological information acquisition device P0 and the authentication device P2 according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] The biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 extracts and acquires the user's biological information based on a captured image (hereinafter referred to as "authentication hand image") of a part of the user's hand. Further, the biometric authentication system 100 collates the acquired user's biological information with each of the biological information of a plurality of users registered in advance to execute user authentication and outputs an authentication result. Note that the biological information referred to here may be biological information based on the user's fingerprint or biological information based on the veins of the user's fingers.

[0015] The biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a biometric information acquisition device P0, an authentication device P2, a network NW, and a monitor MN. The biometric information acquisition device P0 and the authentication device P2 are connected via the network NW so as to be capable of wireless communication or wired communication to transmit and receive data. Here, the wireless communication is, for example, communication via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0016] The biometric information acquisition device P0 is connected to the authentication device P2 via the network NW so as to be capable of data communication. When the biometric information acquisition device P0 detects that the user's hand is stationary based on a captured image (hereinafter referred to as the "detection hand image") of the user's hand inserted into the imaging area (specifically, between the glass surface 17 and the cover guide 18 and the space on the glass surface 17) by the stationary detection camera 14, the biometric information acquisition camera 15 captures a part of the user's hand. The biometric information acquisition device P0 acquires an authentication image, generates a finger image by partially cutting out a region of a part of the finger from the authentication hand image, and transmits the finger image as the acquired biometric information of the user to the authentication device P2. Note that the biometric information acquisition device P0 transmits the biometric information of the user extracted based on the finger image to the authentication device P2. The biometric information acquisition device P0 outputs the authentication result executed by the authentication device P2 using the finger image or the biometric information of the user to the monitor MN.

[0017] The biometric information acquisition device P0 is composed of a control device P1, a lighting unit 13, a stationary detection camera 14, a biometric information acquisition camera 15, a housing 16, a glass surface 17, and a cover guide 18. Although the biometric information acquisition device P0 shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which the control device P1 is arranged outside the housing 16, the control device P1 may be incorporated in the housing 16. Also, the operation unit UI and the sensor SS are not essential components and may be omitted.

[0018] The control device P1 is implemented by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) and executes various control processes in the biological information acquisition device P0. The control device P1 implements the various functions of the communication unit 10, the processor 11, and the memory 12.

[0019] The communication unit 10 is connected to the communication unit 20 in the authentication device P2 via a network NW, enabling wireless or wired communication, and performs data transmission and reception. The communication unit 10 transmits the user's finger image or user's biometric information output from the processor 11 to the authentication device P2, and outputs the authentication result transmitted from the authentication device P2 to the processor 11. The user's finger image or user's biometric information transmitted to the authentication device P2 may be encrypted.

[0020] The processor 11 is configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and works in cooperation with the memory 12 to perform various processes and controls. Specifically, the processor 11 refers to the programs and data held in the memory 12 and executes those programs to realize the functions of each part for acquiring the user's hand image or the user's biometric information. The parts referred to here are the hand detection unit 11A, the stationary detection unit 11B, the timeout detection unit 11C, and the blur image detection unit 11D.

[0021] The hand detection unit 11A determines (detects) whether or not the user's hand is inserted within the imaging area based on the detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14. The hand detection unit 11A performs the hand insertion detection process frame by frame. The hand insertion detection process performed by the hand detection unit 11A will be described in detail in the explanation of Figure 3.

[0022] The stationary detection unit 11B determines (detects) whether the user's hand is stationary or not based on the detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14. The stationary detection unit 11B performs the hand stationary detection process frame by frame. The hand stationary detection process performed by the stationary detection unit 11B will be described in detail in the explanation of Figure 4.

[0023] The timeout detection unit 11C determines whether the user's hand has been detected as stationary within a predetermined time limit from the moment the hand detection unit 11A detects the insertion of the user's hand into the imaging area. If the timeout detection unit 11C does not detect the user's hand as stationary within the predetermined time limit, it generates a timeout notification screen MN1 (see Figure 6) indicating that a timeout has occurred and outputs it to the monitor MN.

[0024] The blur detection unit 11D determines whether the authentication hand image is blurred or not based on the authentication hand image captured by the biometric information acquisition camera 15. Here, blur refers to motion blur caused by the movement of the subject, such as the trajectory (afterimage) of the hand remaining in the captured image when the hand moves at high speed. If the blur detection unit 11D determines that the authentication hand image is not blurred, it generates a finger image by cropping the area showing a portion of the user's fingers from the acquired authentication hand image, encrypts the finger image, and transmits it to the authentication device P2. Alternatively, the blur detection unit 11D may extract the user's biometric information using the generated finger image, encrypt the extracted user's biometric information, and transmit it to the authentication device P2. The process of extracting user biometric information using the finger image will be described later.

[0025] Here, the method for generating the finger image will be described. The blur image detection unit 11D detects the user's fingers based on the authentication hand image and generates a finger image by cropping out a region that includes a portion of at least one of the detected user's fingers. However, the method for generating the finger image is not limited to this, and other known techniques may be used.

[0026] Memory 12 includes, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) used as work memory when executing each process of the processor 11, and ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores programs and data that define the operation of the processor 11. Data or information generated or acquired by the processor 11 is temporarily stored in RAM. Programs that define the operation of the processor 11 are written in ROM.

[0027] The illumination unit 13 is housed inside the housing 16 of the biometric information acquisition device P0 and is positioned between the stationary detection camera 14 and the biometric information acquisition camera 15 and the glass surface 17. The illumination unit 13 is configured with one or more lights, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), fluorescent lamp, incandescent lamp, or IR (infrared) lighting, and illuminates the user's hand located within the imaging area. The illumination unit 13 controls the lighting to turn on or off based on control commands output from the processor 11. In Figure 1, the illumination unit 13 is shown as an example in an annular shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the illumination unit 13 may be a point light source, or it may be configured in which multiple lights are arranged in a polygonal shape or a substantially annular shape.

[0028] A stationary detection camera 14, as an example of the first camera, is configured to have at least an image sensor (not shown) and a lens (not shown). The image sensor is, for example, a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD (Charged-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), which converts the optical image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical signal. The stationary detection camera 14 has a higher frame rate and lower resolution than the biological information acquisition camera 15. The stationary detection camera 14 used in the biological information acquisition device P0 is, for example, a camera with a frame rate of 60fps and a resolution of 640×480.

[0029] A second example of a camera, the biological information acquisition camera 15, comprises at least an image sensor (not shown) and a lens (not shown). The image sensor is, for example, a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, which converts the optical image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical signal. The biological information acquisition camera 15 has a lower frame rate and higher resolution than the stationary detection camera 14. The biological information acquisition camera 15 used in the biological information acquisition device P0 is, for example, a camera with a frame rate of 1 fps and a resolution of 3280 × 2464.

[0030] The housing 16 is made of metal or resin and houses the illumination unit 13, the stationary detection camera 14, and the biometric information acquisition camera 15. The housing 16 may also house the control device P1. The stationary detection camera 14 and the biometric information acquisition camera 15 are positioned adjacent to each other and capture images of a portion of the user's hand illuminated by the illumination unit 13.

[0031] The glass surface 17 is provided on the upper surface 16A of the housing 16, and enables illumination of the user's hand by the lighting unit 13 and imaging of the user's hand by the stationary detection camera 14 and the biometric information acquisition camera 15.

[0032] The cover guide 18 is formed in a substantially L-shape using metal or resin as the material. One end of the substantially L-shape of the cover guide 18 is fixed to one side of the rectangular upper surface 16A of the housing. The other end of the substantially L-shape of the cover guide 18 is provided to cover the upper surface 16A of the housing and the glass surface 17.

[0033] Furthermore, the cover guide 18 is formed such that the distance (i.e., height) between the upper surface 16A of the housing and the lower surface of the cover guide 18 (i.e., the surface facing the glass surface 17) increases (becomes higher) as the other end of the roughly L-shaped cover guide 18 moves from the side on which one end of the upper surface 16A of the housing is fixed to the opposite side. In other words, the cover guide 18 is provided so that the distance (i.e., height) between the upper surface 16A of the housing and the cover guide 18 is greater on the side where the user is located (the side on which the side on which one end of the roughly L-shape is fixed is opposite). Therefore, the biological information acquisition device P0 has the highest distance (height) between the upper surface 16A of the housing and the cover guide 18 on the side where the user is located, making it easier for the user to insert their hand into the imaging area.

[0034] The control unit UI is capable of receiving operations from an administrator (for example, a security guard or administrator of a facility or building where the biometric information acquisition device P0 is installed, or an employee of a store where the biometric information acquisition device P0 is installed, etc.) and is composed of, for example, buttons, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. The control unit UI outputs the received administrator operations to the processor 11.

[0035] The sensor SS is specifically a reflective TOF (Time of Flight) sensor, an infrared sensor, or a transmissive laser sensor, light receiving sensor, etc. One or more sensors SS are provided around the glass surface 17 on the top surface 16A of the housing and detect the user's hand inserted into the imaging area. When the sensor SS detects the user's hand, it generates a detection signal and outputs it to the processor 11.

[0036] The authentication device P2 extracts the user's biometric information using the user's finger image transmitted from each of the multiple biometric information acquisition devices P0, P3, ... via the network NW. The extraction of biometric information may utilize publicly known techniques (e.g., the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-124999). The authentication device P2 compares the extracted biometric information with the biometric information of multiple users previously registered by the biometric authentication system 100 or the administrator of each biometric information acquisition device. The authentication device P2 determines whether the extracted biometric information matches any of the registered biometric information of multiple users, executes user authentication processing, and transmits the determination result to each biometric information acquisition device. The authentication device P2 comprises a communication unit 20, a processor 21, a memory 22, and a biometric information database DB.

[0037] The communication unit 20 is connected wirelessly or via wired communication to the communication units of each of the multiple biometric information acquisition devices P0, P3, ... via a network NW, and performs data transmission and reception. The communication unit 20 outputs the user's finger image transmitted from each biometric information acquisition device to the processor 21, and transmits the authentication result output from the processor 21 to each biometric information acquisition device. The authentication result transmitted to each biometric information acquisition device may be encrypted. Furthermore, the user's finger image or biometric information transmitted from each of the multiple biometric information acquisition devices P0, P3, ... to the authentication device P2 may be encrypted by each of the biometric information acquisition devices P0, P3, ... By performing encryption on the transmitted user's finger image or biometric information, each of the multiple biometric information acquisition devices P0, P3, ... can more effectively prevent the leakage of the user's finger image or biometric information during the transmission process to the authentication device P2.

[0038] The processor 21 is configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and works in cooperation with the memory 22 to perform various processes and controls. Specifically, the processor 21 refers to the programs and data held in the memory 22 and executes those programs to realize the functions of the biometric authentication unit 21A in order to perform user authentication.

[0039] The biometric authentication unit 21A extracts the user's biometric information based on the user's finger image. The biometric authentication unit 21A compares the extracted user's biometric information with the biometric information of multiple users stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB. The authentication device P2 generates an authentication result determining whether the extracted user's biometric information matches any of the registered users' biometric information, outputs it to the communication unit 20, and transmits it to each biometric information acquisition device.

[0040] Memory 22 includes, for example, RAM as work memory used when executing each process of processor 21, and ROM which stores programs and data that define the operation of processor 21. Data or information generated or acquired by processor 21 is temporarily stored in RAM. Programs that define the operation of processor 21 are written to ROM.

[0041] The biometric information database DB stores (registers) information about multiple users (e.g., name, identification number, facial photograph, etc.) that have been registered in advance by the administrator of the biometric authentication system 100 or each biometric information acquisition device, and associates this information with the biometric information of each user.

[0042] Each of the one or more biometric information acquisition devices P3,... is connected to the authentication device P2 via a network NW to enable data communication. Each of the biometric information acquisition devices P3,... acquires a finger image containing the user's biometric information, encrypts the acquired finger image, and transmits the encrypted finger image to the authentication device P2. Each of the biometric information acquisition devices P3,... also outputs the authentication result generated by the authentication device P2 for the transmitted finger image or the user's biometric information to the monitor MN. Note that the configuration of each of the biometric information acquisition devices P3,... is the same as that of biometric information acquisition device P0, so a description is omitted.

[0043] The network NW connects each of the biometric information acquisition devices P0, P3, ... to the authentication device P2, enabling data communication between them.

[0044] Next, with reference to Figure 3, an example of hand insertion detection performed by the hand detection unit 11A will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of hand insertion detection. Note that the hand insertion detection process shown in Figure 3 corresponds to the process of step St4 in the flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 shown in Figure 5.

[0045] In detection method 1, the hand detection unit 11A compares a background image IM1, which was captured in advance, with a detection hand image IM2, which was captured by the stationary detection camera 14. Here, the background image IM1 is an image captured in advance by the stationary detection camera 14, for example, when the biometric information acquisition device P0 is installed, and is an image of the surface of the cover guide 18 facing the glass surface 17. The hand detection unit 11A calculates the pixel difference between the background image IM1 and the detection hand image IM2. That is, the pixel difference calculated here represents the area AR of the user's hand H1 as seen in the detection hand image IM2, for example, as shown in the difference image IM3. The hand detection unit 11A determines whether the calculated pixel difference (i.e., the area AR of the user's hand H1) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (for example, 30% or more of the total area (number of pixels) of the field of view of the stationary detection camera 14), and if it determines that the pixel difference (i.e., the area AR of the user's hand H1) is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, it detects the insertion of the user's hand.

[0046] Furthermore, in detection method 2, the hand detection unit 11A detects the user's hand from the acquired detection hand image and determines whether the detected user's hand crosses the detection line L for detecting the hand relative to the field of view of the pre-set stationary detection camera 14 (i.e., whether the user's hand is located on the detection line L).

[0047] For example, in the case of the detection hand image IM4 shown in Figure 3, the hand detection unit 11A detects the user's hand H2 from the acquired detection hand image IM4 and then determines whether the detected hand H2 crosses the detection line L. The hand detection unit 11A determines that the detected hand H2 does not cross the detection line L and outputs a notification indicating that hand insertion could not be detected (i.e., no hand was inserted). On the other hand, in the case of the detection hand image IM5 shown in Figure 4, the stationary detection unit 11B detects the user's hand H3 from the acquired detection hand image IM5 and then determines whether the detected hand H3 crosses the detection line L. The hand detection unit 11A determines that the detected hand H3 crosses the detection line L and outputs a notification indicating that hand insertion was detected (i.e., a hand was inserted).

[0048] Furthermore, the hand insertion detection performed by the hand detection unit 11A may use at least one of detection method 1 or detection method 2, or both detection method 1 and detection method 2 may be used.

[0049] Next, with reference to Figure 4, an example of hand stationary detection performed by the stationary detection unit 11B will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of hand stationary detection. Note that the hand stationary detection process shown in Figure 4 corresponds to the process of step St6 in the flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 shown in Figure 5.

[0050] The stationary detection unit 11B calculates the pixel-by-pixel difference between the hand H1 (see Figure 3) shown in the detection hand image IM2 where the insertion of the user's hand is detected, or the hand H3 (see Figure 3) shown in the detection hand image IM5, and the hand H4 shown in the latest detection hand image IM6, which was captured after the detection hand image IM2 or detection hand image IM5. For example, as shown in the difference image IM7 in Figure 4, if the difference in the position of the user's hand H4 shown in the two detection hand images (i.e., the amount of movement) is sufficiently small, the pixel-by-pixel difference of each of the two detection hand images calculated will be small. Also, as shown in the difference image IM8 in Figure 4, if the difference in the positions of the user's hands H4 and H5 shown in each of the two detection hand images is large, the pixel-by-pixel difference of each of the two detection hand images calculated will be large. The stationary detection unit 11B determines whether the calculated pixel-by-pixel difference is below a pre-set threshold. If the stationary detection unit 11B determines that the difference between pixels is below a threshold, it outputs a notification indicating that the user's hand has been detected as stationary. On the other hand, if the stationary detection unit 11B determines that the difference between pixels is not below a threshold, it outputs a notification indicating that the user's hand is not stationary.

[0051] The detection hand images used for stationary detection are not limited to the hand H1 (see Figure 3) shown in the detection hand image IM2 in which the insertion of the user's hand is detected, or the hand H3 (see Figure 3) shown in the detection hand image IM5. The stationary detection unit 11B may perform stationary detection processing of the user's hand using two detection hand images that are captured consecutively after the insertion of the user's hand is detected. Specifically, the stationary detection unit 11B may perform stationary detection processing of the user's hand using each of the two detection hand images that are captured after the insertion of the user's hand is detected.

[0052] Referring to Figure 5, the processing procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0053] When the biometric information acquisition device P0 detects the start of the authentication process (St1), it turns on the illumination unit 13 (St2A). The authentication start process here refers to receiving administrator operations via the operation unit UI, the administrator turning on the power of the biometric information acquisition device P0, or the detection of the user's hand by the sensor SS. The biometric information acquisition device P0 may also turn on the illumination unit 13 before the process of step St7, which will be described later.

[0054] The biometric information acquisition device P0 turns on the illumination unit 13, then performs the first image capture using the stationary detection camera 14 (St3), and determines whether or not the user's hand is inserted into the imaging area based on the captured image of the user's hand (St4). The insertion of the user's hand is detected (determined) by detection method 1 or detection method 2 shown in Figure 3, or by both detection method 1 and detection method 2.

[0055] If the biological information acquisition device P0 determines in step St4 that the user's hand is inserted into the imaging area (St4, YES), it starts measuring the elapsed time until the user's hand is detected as stationary, and performs a second imaging using the stationary detection camera 14 (St5).

[0056] On the other hand, if the biometric information acquisition device P0 determines in step St4 that the user's hand is not inserted into the imaging area (St4, NO), it returns to step St3 and captures a detection hand image again to detect hand insertion.

[0057] The biometric information acquisition device P0 determines whether the user's hand movement is stationary (St6) based on the detection hand image acquired by the first imaging by the stationary detection camera 14 (i.e., the detection hand image used to detect the stationary movement of the user's hand in the processing of step St4) and the detection hand image acquired by the second imaging by the stationary detection camera 14 in step St5. The stationary movement of the user's hand is detected by the stationary detection method shown in Figure 4. The detection hand image used for the user's hand stationary detection process may also be two detection hand images that are captured consecutively by the stationary detection camera 14 in the processing of step St5.

[0058] If the biometric information acquisition device P0 determines in step St6 that the user's hand movement is stationary (St6, YES), it performs imaging of the user's hand using the biometric information acquisition camera 15 (St7).

[0059] On the other hand, if the biometric information acquisition device P0 determines in step St6 that the user's hand movement is not stationary (St6, YES), it determines whether the elapsed time from the time the user's hand insertion is detected to the time it is determined that the user's hand movement is not stationary is within a predetermined time limit (i.e., whether the hand stationary detection process has timed out) (St8). Note that the biometric information acquisition device P0 only needs the illumination unit 13 to be lit when the biometric information acquisition camera 15 captures an authentication hand image, so it may also light up the illumination unit 13 when it determines that the user's hand movement is stationary (St6, YES) (St2B).

[0060] If the biological information acquisition device P0 determines in step St8 that the elapsed time is within a predetermined time limit (i.e., has not timed out) (St8, YES), it returns to step St5, continues measuring the elapsed time, and performs a second imaging process using the stationary detection camera 14.

[0061] On the other hand, if the biological information acquisition device P0 determines in step St8 that the elapsed time is not within a predetermined time limit (i.e., a timeout has occurred) (St8, NO), it generates a timeout notification screen MN1 (see Figure 6) and outputs it to monitor MN (St9) for display.

[0062] The biometric information acquisition device P0 determines whether or not the authentication hand image captured by the biometric information acquisition camera 15 is blurred (St10).

[0063] If the biometric information acquisition device P0 determines in step St10 that the user's hand in the authentication hand image is blurred (St10, YES), it returns to step St5 and performs a second imaging process using the stationary detection camera 14. The elapsed time measurement process may continue until the end of step St10, or it may be reset when the device determines in step St6 that the user's hand movement is stationary. Alternatively, if the biometric information acquisition device P0 determines that the user's hand in the authentication hand image is blurred (St10, YES), it may return to step St3 and perform a first imaging process using the stationary detection camera 14.

[0064] On the other hand, if the biometric information acquisition device P0 determines in step St10 that the user's hand in the authentication hand image is not blurred (St10, NO), it turns off the illumination unit 13 (St11). The biometric information acquisition device P0 generates a finger image by cropping a region showing at least one finger of the user from the authentication hand image captured by the biometric information acquisition camera 15, and encrypts this finger image before transmitting it to the authentication device P2. Alternatively, the biometric information acquisition device P0 may extract the user's biometric information based on the generated finger image, encrypt the extracted user's biometric information, and transmit it to the authentication device P2.

[0065] The authentication device P2 extracts the user's biometric information based on the user's finger image transmitted from the biometric information acquisition device P0. The authentication device P2 compares the extracted user's biometric information with the biometric information of multiple users stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB (St12). The authentication device P2 determines whether the extracted user's biometric information exists in each of the biometric information of multiple users stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB (St13).

[0066] In step St13, if the authentication device P2 determines that the extracted user's biometric information is present in each of the multiple user biometric information stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB (St13, YES), it generates an authentication result notification screen MN2 (see Figure 7) indicating that the user authentication result is "OK" and sends it to the biometric information acquisition device P0. The biometric information acquisition device P0 outputs the authentication result notification screen MN2 sent from the authentication device P2 to the monitor MN (St14) and displays it.

[0067] On the other hand, if the authentication device P2 determines in step St13 that there is no extracted biometric information for any of the multiple users stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB (St13, NO), it generates an authentication result notification screen MN3 (see Figure 7) indicating that the user authentication result is "NG" and sends it to the biometric information acquisition device P0. The biometric information acquisition device P0 outputs the authentication result notification screen MN2 sent from the authentication device P2 to the monitor MN (St15) and displays it. Note that if the authentication device P2 determines in step St13 that there is no extracted biometric information for any of the multiple users stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB (St13, NO), it may return to the process of step St3.

[0068] As described above, the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 acquires an authentication hand image as biometric information and performs user authentication. The biometric authentication system 100 may return to the processing of step St2A or step St3 after the processing of step St14 and repeatedly perform the acquisition of authentication hand images as biometric information and user authentication for multiple users. If the detection of the authentication start process shown in step St1 is performed by the detection of the user's hand by the sensor SS, the biometric authentication system 100 may return to the processing of step St1 after the processing of step St14 and repeatedly perform the acquisition of authentication hand images as biometric information and user authentication for multiple users.

[0069] Furthermore, the biometric authentication system 100 may perform the detection of the authentication start process shown in step St1 based on the detection of the insertion of the user's hand. In such a case, the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 shown in Figure 5 may start from the process in step St3, and if the insertion of the user's hand is detected in the process in step St4, it may be determined that the authentication start process has been detected and proceed to the process of turning on the illumination unit 13 in step St2A, or the process in step St2A may be omitted and the process in step St5 may be omitted. Note that if the biometric authentication system 100 omits the process in step St2A and proceeds to the process in step St5, it turns on the illumination unit 13 in step St2B.

[0070] Furthermore, the biometric authentication system 100 may perform a timeout check similar to the one performed in step 8, not only for the hand stillness detection process described above, but also for, for example, hand insertion detection (i.e., the processes in steps 3 to 4). In such cases, different time limits may be set for the hand insertion detection process and the hand stillness detection process for the predetermined time limit used for the timeout check. Moreover, the biometric authentication system 100 may perform a timeout check for the processes from hand insertion detection to hand stillness detection (i.e., the series of processes in steps 3 to 6).

[0071] Furthermore, the biometric authentication system 100 may output (notify) the authentication result performed in steps St14 and St15 by lighting, for example, an LED (not shown) provided on the top surface 16A of the housing. Specifically, the biometric information acquisition device P0 may notify (output) the user of the authentication result by lighting a green LED if the authentication result transmitted from the authentication device P2 is "OK", and by lighting a red LED if the authentication result is "NG". In addition, if the biometric authentication system 100 determines that a timeout has occurred as a result of the processing in step St8, it may notify (output) the timeout by lighting the aforementioned LED (for example, lighting a red LED). Furthermore, the biometric information acquisition device P0 may change not only the color of the LED but also, for example, the LED lighting and extinguishing control (i.e., the display method) when outputting (notifying) the authentication result performed in steps St14 and St15. For example, the biometric information acquisition device P0 may light up its LED if the authentication result transmitted from the authentication device P2 is "OK," and blink its LED if the authentication result transmitted from the authentication device P2 is "NG."

[0072] As described above, the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 detects the stillness of the user's hand based on the detection hand image of the user captured by the stationary detection camera 14, and then captures the user's authentication hand image with the biometric information acquisition camera 15. Therefore, even if the user's hand does not touch the housing 16, the authentication hand image used for biometric authentication can be acquired more stably. In addition, since the biometric authentication system 100 does not allow the hands of an unspecified number of users to touch the housing 16 or the glass surface 17, it can reduce opportunities for contact between an unspecified number of people and objects from a hygiene standpoint, for example, to prevent viral infections.

[0073] The timeout notification screen MN1 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the timeout notification screen MN1.

[0074] The biometric information acquisition device P0 generates a timeout notification screen MN1 and outputs it to monitor MN for display if it fails to detect the user's hand as stationary within a predetermined time limit, based on the detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14. The timeout notification screen MN1 is generated to include a message MS1, "Timeout. Please hold your hand over again," which notifies the user that a timeout has occurred. Note that the content of message MS1 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 6.

[0075] Refer to Figure 7 to explain the authentication result notification screens MN2 and MN3. Figure 7 shows examples of the authentication result notification screens MN2 and MN3. Note that the authentication result notification screen MN2 shown in Figure 7 is just one example, and may contain only one of the following: message MS2, face image FC, or user information NM.

[0076] If the authentication result of the user authentication process based on the user's finger image or biometric information transmitted from the biometric information acquisition device P0 is "OK" (i.e., each of the multiple user biometric information stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB contains the user's biometric information transmitted from the biometric information acquisition device P0), the authentication device P2 generates an authentication result notification screen MN2 that notifies the user that the authentication result is "OK". The authentication result notification screen MN2 is generated including, for example, a message MS2, a face image FC, and user information NM.

[0077] Message MS2 includes the message "Authentication Complete," indicating that the authentication result is "OK." It goes without saying that the message MS2 shown in Figure 7 is just an example and is not limited to it. The face image FC is a user-specific face image stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB, associated with each user's biometric information. User information NM is information about the user, such as the user's name and identification number. The user information NM shown in Figure 7, as an example, displays the user's name, showing "Mr. / Ms. XX XX."

[0078] If the authentication result of the user authentication process based on the user's finger image or biometric information transmitted from the biometric information acquisition device P0 is "NG" (i.e., the user's biometric information transmitted from the biometric information acquisition device P0 is not found in any of the multiple user biometric information stored (registered) in the biometric information database DB), the authentication device P2 generates an authentication result notification screen MN3 that notifies the user that the authentication result is "NG". The authentication result notification screen MN3 is generated including, for example, a message MS3.

[0079] Message MS3 is a message indicating that the authentication result was "NG," such as "Authentication failed. Please hold your hand over again." It goes without saying that the message MS3 shown in Figure 7 is just one example and is not limited to this example.

[0080] (Embodiment 2) The biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 described above shows an example in which a biometric information acquisition device P0 and an authentication device P2 are connected via a network NW to enable data transmission and reception. The biometric authentication system 100A according to Embodiment 2 describes an example in which a biometric information acquisition device P0A and an authentication device P2A are connected without a network NW to enable data transmission and reception.

[0081] First, with reference to Figure 8, the biometric authentication system 100A, the biometric information acquisition device P0A, and the authentication device P2A according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the biometric information acquisition device P0 and the authentication device P2 according to Embodiment 2. Note that components with the same configuration as those in the biometric authentication system 100, biometric information acquisition device P0, and authentication device P2 according to Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0082] The biometric information acquisition device P0A and the authentication device P2A according to Embodiment 2 are connected to each other so that data can be sent and received. In addition, the monitor MNA according to Embodiment 2 is connected to the authentication device P2A and displays the timeout notification screen MN1 or the authentication result notification screens MN2 and MN3 output from the authentication device P2A.

[0083] Here, referring to Figure 9, we will explain the correspondence between the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5 and the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system 100A according to Embodiment 2. Figure 9 is Table TB, which shows the correspondence between the example operation procedure shown in Figure 5 and the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system according to each embodiment. The relationship between the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5 and the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 will be described in detail in the explanation of Embodiment 3.

[0084] In the biometric authentication system 100A according to Embodiment 2, the biometric information acquisition device P0A executes steps St1 to St11 and steps St14 to St15 of the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5, and the authentication device P2A executes steps St12 to St13.

[0085] (Embodiment 3) The biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 described above shows an example in which the biometric information acquisition device P0 and the authentication device P2 are configured as separate components. The biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 describes an example in which the biometric information acquisition device P0B and the authentication device P2B are configured as an integrated unit.

[0086] First, with reference to Figure 10, the biometric authentication device 100B, the biometric information acquisition device P0B, and the authentication device P2B according to Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the biometric information acquisition device P0B and the authentication device P2B according to Embodiment 3. Note that components with the same configuration as the biometric information acquisition device P0 and authentication device P2 according to Embodiment 1, or the biometric information acquisition device P0A and authentication device P2A according to Embodiment 2, are given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0087] The biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 is integrally configured including a biometric information acquisition device P0B and an authentication device P2B. The biometric information acquisition device P0B is configured including an illumination unit 13, a stationary detection camera 14, and a biometric information acquisition camera 15. Note that the operation unit UI and sensor SS are not essential components and may be omitted.

[0088] The lighting unit 13 is controlled by the processor 21B to turn on or off. The stationary detection camera 14 is controlled by the processor 21B to capture an image of the user's hand and outputs the captured image of the user's hand for detection to the processor 21B in the authentication device P2B. The biometric information acquisition camera 15 is controlled by the processor 21B to capture an image of the user's hand and outputs the captured image of the user's hand for authentication to the processor 21B.

[0089] Similarly, the control unit UI accepts operations from the administrator and outputs the accepted administrator operations to the processor 21B. When the sensor SS detects a user's hand within a predetermined detection area, it outputs the detection result to the processor 21B.

[0090] The authentication device P2B according to Embodiment 3 is configured to include a processor 21B, a memory 22B, and a biometric information database DB. Furthermore, the authentication device P2B according to Embodiment 3 is connected to a monitor MN for communication, similar to the authentication device P2A according to Embodiment 2, and outputs and displays a timeout notification screen MN1 or authentication result notification screens MN2 and MN3.

[0091] The processor 21B is configured, for example, using a CPU or FPGA, and works in cooperation with the memory 22B to perform various processes and controls. Specifically, the processor 21B refers to the programs and data held in the memory 22B and executes those programs to acquire the user's authentication hand image or the user's biometric information, and realizes the functions of each part for performing user authentication. The parts referred to here are the biometric information authentication unit 21A, the hand detection unit 23A, the stationary detection unit 23B, the timeout detection unit 23C, and the blur image detection unit 23D.

[0092] Each part of the processor 21B according to Embodiment 3 corresponds to the same function as the hand detection unit 23A, the hand detection unit 23B, the stationary detection unit 23B, the timeout detection unit 23C, and the blur image detection unit 23D, respectively, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0093] Here, referring again to Figure 9, we will explain the correspondence between the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5 and the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3.

[0094] In the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3, the biometric information acquisition device P0B executes steps St1 to St3, St5, St7, and St11 of the example operation procedure of the biometric authentication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5, and the authentication device P2B executes steps St4, St6, St8 to St10, and St12 to St15.

[0095] As described above, the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 can perform both the acquisition of authentication hand images as the user's biometric information and user authentication in a single device. Furthermore, since the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 does not transmit or receive data such as the user's finger images, biometric information, or facial images via a network NW, the leakage of personal information to external parties can be suppressed.

[0096] As described above, each of the biometric information acquisition devices P0 and P0A according to Embodiments 1 and 2 comprises: a stationary detection camera 14 (an example of a first camera) that captures a detection image of a user's hand inserted into the imaging area (an example of a first hand image); a biometric information acquisition camera 15 (an example of a second camera) that captures an authentication image of a user's hand used for biometric authentication (an example of a second hand image); and a processor 11 that, when stationary hand is detected based on the detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14, causes the biometric information acquisition camera 15 to capture an authentication hand image.

[0097] As described above, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 detects the stillness of the user's hand based on the detection hand image of the user captured by the stationary detection camera 14, and then captures the user's authentication hand image with the biometric information acquisition camera 15. Therefore, even if the user's hand does not touch the housing 16, the authentication hand image used for biometric authentication can be captured more stably. In addition, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A can reduce the opportunity for contact between an unspecified number of people and objects from a hygiene standpoint, such as for preventing viral infections, because the hands of an unspecified number of users do not touch the housing 16 or the glass surface 17.

[0098] Furthermore, based on the above, the processor 11 determines whether the user's hand is inserted into the imaging area based on the detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14, and then determines whether the hand is stationary or not. In this way, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 can detect whether the user's hand is sufficiently inserted into the imaging area when capturing an authentication hand image for biometric authentication.

[0099] Furthermore, the processor 11 determines whether the hand is stationary or not based on the pixel difference between the latest detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14 and a past detection hand image captured before the latest detection hand image. As a result, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 can detect whether the user's hand is stationary or not, and can therefore capture authentication hand images used for biometric authentication more stably, even without contact.

[0100] Furthermore, the processor 11 determines whether or not a hand is inserted based on the pixel difference between the latest detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14 and the previously captured background image of the imaging area. As a result, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 can detect whether or not the user's hand is sufficiently inserted within the imaging area when capturing an authentication hand image for biometric authentication.

[0101] Furthermore, the processor 11 detects a hand in the detection hand image captured by the stationary detection camera 14, and determines that a hand has been inserted into the imaging area if a part of the detected hand is located on the detection line L set on the field of view of the detection hand image. As a result, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 can detect whether or not the user's hand is sufficiently inserted into the imaging area when capturing an authentication hand image for biometric authentication.

[0102] Furthermore, each of the biometric information acquisition devices P0 and P0A according to Embodiments 1 and 2 further includes an illumination unit 13 for illuminating the hand inserted into the imaging area. The processor 11 turns on the illumination unit 13 when it detects that the hand is still. As a result, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 and 2 illuminates the user's hand when capturing the authentication hand image for biometric authentication, enabling clearer capture of the authentication hand image used for biometric authentication even without contact.

[0103] Furthermore, as described above, the processor 11 lights up the illumination unit 13 when it detects the insertion of a hand. As a result, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 illuminates the user's hand when capturing the detection hand image used for detecting the stillness of the hand, thereby enabling them to capture a clearer detection hand image used for detecting the stillness of the hand.

[0104] Furthermore, as described above, each of the biometric information acquisition devices P0 and P0A according to Embodiments 1 and 2 is further equipped with an operation unit UI that accepts external operations. The processor 11 lights up the illumination unit 13 based on an external operation, for example, by an administrator. As a result, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 and 2 can capture detection hand images and authentication hand images more clearly by illuminating the user's hand when capturing the detection hand image and authentication hand image of the user.

[0105] Furthermore, as a result of the above, the frame rate of the stationary detection camera 14 is greater than the frame rate of the biometric information acquisition camera 15. This allows each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 to perform both the capture of a detection hand image suitable for stationary detection and the capture of an authentication hand image suitable for biometric authentication.

[0106] Furthermore, as described above, the resolution of the stationary detection camera 14 is smaller than the resolution of the biometric information acquisition camera 15. As a result, each of the biometric authentication systems 100 to 100A according to Embodiments 1 to 2 can perform both the capture of a detection hand image suitable for stationary detection and the capture of an authentication hand image suitable for biometric authentication.

[0107] As described above, the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 includes a stationary detection camera 14 that captures the user's hand inserted into the imaging area, a biometric information acquisition camera 15 that captures the user's hand, and a processor 21B (an example of an output unit) that, based on the detection hand image of the user captured by the stationary detection camera 14, causes the biometric information acquisition camera 15 to capture the hand when stationary hand is detected, acquires the user's biometric information based on the user's hand image captured by the biometric information acquisition camera 15, and outputs a comparison result obtained by comparing the acquired biometric information with the biometric information of each of a plurality of pre-registered users. As a result, the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 can capture authentication hand images used for biometric authentication more stably even when the user's hand is not in contact with the housing 16, and can perform user authentication based on the user's biometric information extracted from the captured authentication hand image. Furthermore, the biometric authentication device 100B according to Embodiment 3 does not allow the hands of an unspecified number of users to touch the housing 16 or the glass surface 17, thus reducing opportunities for contact between an unspecified number of people and objects from a hygiene standpoint, such as for preventing viral infections.

[0108] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, this disclosure is not limited to such examples. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will also be understood to fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0109] This disclosure is useful as a presentation of a biometric information acquisition device, a biometric authentication device, and a biometric information acquisition method that can stably acquire hand images for biometric authentication even in a contactless state. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 10,20 Communications Department 11,21,21B processor 11A, 23A Hand detection unit 11B, 23B Stationary detection unit 11C, 23C Timeout detection unit 11D, 23D Image blur detection unit 12,22,22B memory 13 Lighting Section 14. Camera for stationary detection 15. Camera for acquiring biometric information 21A Biometric Authentication Department 100,100A Biometric Authentication System 100B Biometric Authentication Device DB (Biometric Information Database) L detection line MN, MNA Monitor NW Network P0, P0A, P0B, P3 Biometric Information Acquisition Devices P1 Control Unit P2, P2A, P2B Authentication Devices UI operation section

Claims

1. A first camera that captures a first image of the user's hand inserted into the imaging area, A second camera that captures an image of the user's second hand for use in biometric authentication, The system includes a processor that, when it detects the insertion of the user's hand into the imaging area and its stillness within the imaging area based on the first hand image captured by the first camera, causes the second camera to capture a second hand image, The user's hand is inserted into the imaging area without contacting at least the housing housing the first camera and the second camera. The frame rate of the first camera is greater than the frame rate of the second camera. A device for acquiring biological information.

2. The processor, based on the second hand image captured by the second camera, detects that the user's hand is not blurred within the imaging area, and generates a finger image by cropping the second hand image to show a portion of at least one of the user's fingers. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 1.

3. If the processor determines, based on the first hand image captured by the first camera, that the user's hand is inserted into the imaging area, it determines whether the hand is stationary or not. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 1.

4. The processor determines whether the hand is stationary or not based on the pixel difference between the most recent first hand image captured by the first camera and a past first hand image captured before the most recent first hand image. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 1.

5. The processor determines whether or not the hand has been inserted based on the pixel difference between the most recent first hand image captured by the first camera and the background image of the imaging area captured in advance. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 3.

6. The processor detects the hand in the first hand image captured by the first camera, and determines that the hand has been inserted into the imaging area if a part of the detected hand is located on a detection line set on the field of view of the first hand image. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 3.

7. The system further comprises an illumination unit for illuminating the hand inserted into the imaging area, The processor turns on the illumination unit when it detects that the hand is still. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 1.

8. Further comprising an illumination unit for illuminating the hand inserted into the imaging area, The processor turns on the illumination unit when it detects the insertion of the hand. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 1.

9. It further includes an operating unit that accepts external operations, The processor turns on the lighting unit based on the external operation. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 7.

10. The resolution of the first camera is smaller than the resolution of the second camera. A biological information acquisition device according to claim 1.

11. A first camera that captures the user's hand inserted into the imaging area, A second camera for imaging the user's hand, A processor that, based on a first image of the user's hand captured by the first camera, detects insertion of the user's hand into the imaging area and its stillness within the imaging area, and causes the second camera to capture an image of the hand; The system includes an output unit that acquires the user's biometric information based on a second hand image of the user captured by the second camera, and outputs a comparison result obtained by comparing the acquired biometric information with the biometric information of a plurality of users that have been registered in advance. The user's hand is inserted into the imaging area without contacting at least the housing housing the first camera and the second camera. The frame rate of the first camera is greater than the frame rate of the second camera. Biometric authentication device.

12. A method for acquiring biometric information for a biometric information acquisition device that uses two cameras to image the user's hand, The first camera captures the user's hand inserted into the imaging area, Based on the captured image of the user's hand, if the insertion of the user's hand into the imaging area and its stillness within the imaging area are detected, the second camera captures the user's hand. The user's hand is inserted into the imaging area without contacting at least the housing housing the first camera and the second camera. The frame rate of the first camera is greater than the frame rate of the second camera. Methods for acquiring biometric information.

Images